Georgian leader tells EU, NATO he remains on pro-Western path

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Georgia's prime minister told the European Union and NATO on Monday that his country remained firmly committed to integration with both organizations after his dismissal of a pro-Western minister caused a political crisis.

Irakly Garibashvili sparked the resignation of his foreign minister and the walkout of one of the six parties in his coalition this month by dismissing his pro-Western defense minister, Irakly Alasania.

Garibashvili sought to reassure senior NATO and EU officials during a visit to Brussels that the former Soviet republic, which fought a 2008 war with Russia, remained firmly set on a pro-Western course.

"I have an ambition to make my country a success story in the region using the transformative power of the European integration process," he told a news conference.

After talks at NATO headquarters, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Garibashvili had emphasized that Georgia was "continuing on its path towards more Euro-Atlantic integration and I very much welcome that commitment."

Georgia's ambition of joining NATO puts it at odds with Russia. After the 2008 war, two breakaway provinces, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, declared independence with Russian backing.

Moscow has proposed a new treaty with Abkhazia, which is viewed in Tbilisi as a step towards full Russian annexation.

Garibashvili voiced deep concern at Russia's proposal, which follows Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in March, and Mogherini said the EU would raise the issue in contacts with Moscow.

Garibashvili's opponents accuse him of using the justice system to persecute political opponents.

Both Mogherini and Stoltenberg stressed the need for strengthening the rule of law in Georgia.

"Political retribution, confrontation and polarization should be avoided and space for opposition and cross-party dialogue should be ensured," Mogherini said.

Georgia and the EU signed a trade and cooperation agreement in June.

At a summit in September, NATO leaders agreed on a package of measures to help Georgia advance in its preparations towards eventual membership of the alliance, although its hopes of taking a formal step towards NATO accession were dashed.

As part of the package, Georgia will host a new NATO-Georgia Training Centre that will help Georgian forces hone their ability to work with NATO, Stoltenberg said.